Seahawk Scoop
South Oceanside Elementary
Dear South O. Families,
Thank you all for coming to campus and participating in our Parent Teacher Conferences. I hope that they were informative and that they created a better partnership with your student's teacher(s).
I hope everyone makes it out to our Fall Carnival that is today (Saturday, October 24th) at 1pm here at South O. It is a free event full of games and fun. Students are allowed to wear costumes but they must adhere to the Halloween guidelines:
Please make sure that your student is following OUSD Guidance:
No costume asks or helmets covering the face/head allowed
No face paint
No props of any kind (that includes, but not limited to guns, swords, knives, pom poms, shields, etc.)
No blood and/or gore
No inflatables
Attire should meet typical dress code guidelines including but not limited to:
Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes
No exposed midsection or back
Sufficient material to cover private areas and undergarments
This week (Monday, October 26th-Friday, October 30th) is Red Ribbon Week.
Monday 26th (Sports Day): Please wear any Sports Gear (baseball, football, soccer, etc.)!
Tuesday 27th (Color Day): Please represent your grade level with your color! 5th= Red; 4th= Orange; 3rd= Yellow; 2nd= Green; 1st= Blue; TK/K= Purple
Wednesday 28th (Costume Day): Please wear your costume if you have one/celebrate! (Please see guidance)
Thursday 29th: (We are all the same day) Please wear your jeans and a white shirt.
Friday 30th (PJ Day): Please wear your pajamas to school!
Chess Club:
Looking for a challenge... Come join Chess Club!
Grades 1st-5th, all skill levels welcome!
Practice and improve your skills!
Learn to Play - No experience necessary!
Days and Time: Fridays 3pm-4pm: 11/06, 11/13, 11/20, 12/04, 12/11, 12/18
Thanks everyone and hope you have a great weekend,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O. Families,
We had another busy week here at South O. with run club starting back up and so many students/families there every morning at 7:45am at the Kelly Gate (it's not too late to join!). We also had an assembly called "Classics for Kids" where students got to interact with classical music and be conductors and tap to the beats. Boss's Day was Friday (16th) and our social committee decided to put Mrs. Sidhu's face all over campus and the faculty got to look out for her face for prizes. It was a busy and fun week here at South O!
Monday, October 19th- Friday, October 23rd is Parent Teacher Conferences. We have EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY DAY NEXT WEEK FOR ALL GRADES at 12:25pm. Please make sure that you pick up your student at that time or have another arrangement for your student (BASE, etc).
Halloween
We will be celebrating Halloween for those that celebrate on Fall Carnival Day (Saturday, October 24th) and Wednesday (October 28th). We want students to have opportunities to dress up with minimal distractions for learning and for families to have time to wash costumes as well.
Please make sure that your student is following OUSD Guidance:
No costume asks or helmets covering the face/head allowed
No face paint
No props of any kind (that includes, but not limited to guns, swords, knives, pom poms, shields, etc.)
No blood and/or gore
No inflatables
Attire should meet typical dress code guidelines including but not limited to:
Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes
No exposed midsection or back
Sufficient material to cover private areas and undergarments
Red Ribbon Week is after parent teacher conferences (October 26th-30th).
Please see flyer at the end of Seahawk Scoop but here's a summary of the fun, optional dress up days:
Monday 26th (Sports Day): Please wear any Sports Gear (baseball, football, soccer, etc.)!
Tuesday 27th (Color Day): Please represent your grade level with your color! 5th= Red; 4th= Orange; 3rd= Yellow; 2nd= Green; 1st= Blue; TK/K= Purple
Wednesday 28th (Costume Day): Please wear your costume if you have one/celebrate!
Thursday 29th: (We are all the same day) Please wear your jeans and a white shirt.
Friday 30th (PJ Day): Please wear your pajamas to school!
Chess Club is starting November 6th. Please see details on the flyers below.
UPDATE FROM THE PTO
1) Next PTO Meeting
Next South O' PTO Meeting: Wednesday October 21st 6 pm at Hill Street Brewing Co. Come join us and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about what PTO does and ways that you can help volunteer to make each upcoming event special! We would love to meet more fellow South O' Families!
2) Fall Carnival
October 24th 1-5 pm at South Oceanside Elementary! Games, fun, costumes, food, and more! Admission FREE, and *kids* wrist bands gives unlimited access to games, kid zone, and haunted hallway. Pre-order for a discounted price! It will un-boo-lievably fun for the whole family and again, a great way to support the school!
***Pre-order Kids Wristbands: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/5NV0Y7AAMQW3D/checkout/53PDFZOX5XL6KA4MM35AHIT2?src=webqr
***We need bake sale donations as well as volunteers day prior and day of: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAB2EAAFC1-66320708-fall#/
***We also need donations for the kids redemption prize booth: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6FXWIF49IHAN?ref_=wl_share
Any amount of help and/or donations is much appreciated!
Thanks everyone and hope you have a great weekend,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O. Families,
We had a busy first week of October with our Vision and Hearing Van, Corner Pizza Fundraiser, and a fire department assembly for our 3rd graders!
Monday, October 12th is Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day. We do have school on Monday so we'll see our students then!
Next week, we will start parent teacher conferences this Friday, October 16th and dismissal for all grades will be at 12:25pm. The entire week of October 19th-23rd is also early dismissal for all grades at 12:25pm for parent teacher conferences!
Ice Cream Sales
Starting this next week, we will no longer offer Friday ice cream sales.Nutrition Services will temporarily suspend à la carte sales at all elementary schools while OUSD nutrition services evaluate the sales process and develop a consistent approach districtwide.
The good news: fruit freezes will still be offered on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month for all students who choose to eat school lunch. We’ll also continue to use ice cream as a special treat for class rewards, such as best attendance or positive classroom behavior.
Thank you for your understanding as we make this change!
Great American Shakeout (Thursday, October 15th)
On Thursday, October 15th, South Oceanside Elementary will join millions of people across California in the Great American ShakeOut, an annual earthquake preparedness drill. Our students and staff will practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” by dropping to the ground, covering their head and neck, and holding on to something sturdy until the shaking stops.
This is a great opportunity to talk with your child at home about earthquake safety, too. Here are a few ways to prepare together:
- Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” as a family, so it becomes second nature.
- Identify safe spots in each room of your home — away from windows, mirrors, and anything that could fall.
- Create a family communication plan in case you’re not together when an earthquake happens (an out-of-area contact can help if local phone lines are down).
- Put together or check your emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, flashlight, and any medications your family may need.
Earthquake preparedness is something we take seriously at school, and we’re grateful for your partnership in reinforcing these habits at home. Thank you for helping keep our South Oceanside family safe!
Halloween
We will be celebrating Halloween for those that celebrate on Fall Carnival Day (Saturday, October 24th) and Wednesday (October 28th). We want students to have opportunities to dress up with minimal distractions for learning and for families to have time to wash costumes as well. More information to come on what is ok and not ok to wear to school on these special days!
Coloring Contest
South Oceanside Elementary school students in grades TK through 5th can participate in a coloring contest for the Fall Carnival. The coloring page came home late this week or will be early next week. Deadline for entries: turned into the front office with $1 attached no later than October 16th. Two prizes will be awarded per grade. The “Coloring Winner” will be based on creativity and the “Entry Winner” will be randomly selected from each age group. Winners will be announced on October 22nd! They will receive a goodie bag and their art will be displayed at the carnival.
Rules:
Only one entry per person is allowed.
Art must be done by the student submitting.
It costs $1 to submit an entry. Drop off in the front office.
Two prizes will be awarded per grade.
The “Coloring Winner” will be based on creativity.
The "Entry Winner” will be randomly selected from each grade.
Participants can only win once.
UPDATE FROM THE PTO
1) Next PTO Meeting
Next South O' PTO Meeting: Wednesday October 21st 6 pm at Hill Street Brewing Co. Come join us and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about what PTO does and ways that you can help volunteer to make each upcoming event special! We would love to meet more fellow South O' Families!
2) Fall Carnival
October 24th 1-5 pm at South Oceanside Elementary! Games, fun, costumes, food, and more! Admission FREE, and *kids* wrist bands gives unlimited access to games, kid zone, and haunted hallway. Pre-order for discounted price! It will un-boo-lievably fun for the whole family and again, a great way to support the school!
***Pre-order Kids Wristbands: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/5NV0Y7AAMQW3D/checkout/53PDFZOX5XL6KA4MM35AHIT2?src=webqr
***We need bake sale donations as well as volunteers day prior and day of: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAB2EAAFC1-66320708-fall#/
***We also need donations for the kids redemption prize booth: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6FXWIF49IHAN?ref_=wl_share
Any amount of help and/or donations is much appreciated!
Have a great weekend,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O. families,
Happy October! We had a great week with Book Fair and having our vision/hearing screening for some of our students! It was great to see students getting excited about books and reading! We also celebrated Custodian Day yesterday and had a great first assembly celebrating "Student of the Month"!
Parent/Teacher Conferences are October 16th (Friday)- October 23rd (Friday). All students will be dismissed at 12:25pm during these six days!
We have a Oceanside Fire & Beach Safety Presentation and Classics for Kids assembly for some of our students next week that we're excited to host here at South O!
PTO UPDATE
**SAVE THE DATES:**
1) Dine-out Night
Tuesday, October 6th 4-9pm at Corner Pizza Oceanside. Dine-in with friends or order take-out for an easy night at home - either way make sure to mention South O Elementary at check-out as 25% of proceeds go back to our school! Great way to help raise money!
2) PTO Meeting
Next South O' PTO Meeting: Wednesday October 21st 6 pm at Hill Street Brewing Co. Come join us and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about what PTO does and ways that you can help volunteer to make each upcoming event special! We would love to meet more fellow South O' Families!
3) Fall Carnival
October 24th 1-5 pm at South Oceanside Elementary! Games, fun, costumes, food, and more! Admission free, and kids wrist bands gives unlimited access to games, kid zone, and haunted hallway... It will un-boo-lievably fun for the whole family and again, a great way to support the school!
Turkey Trot to Benefit South O
It is almost time for the 21st annual Oceanside Turkey Trot! Not only does this help raise funds for our school, but it also provides our families with a discounted entrance fee for the annual Thanksgiving run. If you haven't participated before, you NEED to! It is a fun way to get your day started before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast!
When you register, you can choose to donate a portion of the registration back to South Oceanside Elementary (select our school using the dropdown).
Then, you can join our South Oceanside Elementary Run Club team (when registering, use the dropdown to select this team).
Lastly, you can use this promo code: SOERC10, which will give anybody who signs up 10% off the current registration price.
The available races on that day include:
5k adult early wave at 7:00 am
5k adult main wave at 8:00 am
5k walk at 8:15 am
kids 1 mile at 10:00 am (7-12 years old)
kids 1/5 mile at 10:25 am (6 and under)
virtual races (if you are unable to make the race, you can run from elsewhere)
More information on the Turkey Trot webpage.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
PTO UPDATE
1) Next PTO Meeting
Next South O' PTO Meeting: Wednesday October 21st 6 pm at Hill Street Brewing Co. Come join us and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about what PTO does and ways that you can help volunteer to make each upcoming event special! We would love to meet more fellow South O' Families!
2) Fall Carnival
October 24th 1-5 pm at South Oceanside Elementary! Games, fun, costumes, food, and more! Admission FREE, and *kids* wrist bands gives unlimited access to games, kid zone, and haunted hallway. Pre-order for discounted price! It will un-boo-lievably fun for the whole family and again, a great way to support the school!
***Pre-order Kids Wristbands: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/5NV0Y7AAMQW3D/checkout/53PDFZOX5XL6KA4MM35AHIT2?src=webqr
***We need bake sale donations as well as volunteers day prior and day of: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAB2EAAFC1-66320708-fall#/
***We also need donations for the kids redemption prize booth: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6FXWIF49IHAN?ref_=wl_share
Any amount of help and/or donations is much appreciated!
Turkey Trot to Benefit South O
It is almost time for the 21st annual Oceanside Turkey Trot! Not only does this help raise funds for our school, but it also provides our families with a discounted entrance fee for the annual Thanksgiving run. If you haven't participated before, you NEED to! It is a fun way to get your day started before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast!
When you register, you can choose to donate a portion of the registration back to South Oceanside Elementary (select our school using the dropdown).
Then, you can join our South Oceanside Elementary Run Club team (when registering, use the dropdown to select this team).
Lastly, you can use this promo code: SOERC10, which will give anybody who signs up 10% off the current registration price.
The available races on that day include:
5k adult early wave at 7:00 am
5k adult main wave at 8:00 am
5k walk at 8:15 am
kids 1 mile at 10:00 am (7-12 years old)
kids 1/5 mile at 10:25 am (6 and under)
virtual races (if you are unable to make the race, you can run from elsewhere)
More information on the Turkey Trot webpage.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O. families,
It was great to see so many of us at the Car Show today! Thanks to everyone for making this event a great success especially Dino (organizer) and our amazing PTO! It was a fun day yesterday as well with a lot of the school wearing Padres gear so thank you for showing your pride!
Book Fair starts Monday (28th) until Thursday (1st). We're excited to see our students experience buying books and taking them home.
Preparing for Our Lockdown Drill on Monday, September 28
On Monday, South Oceanside Elementary will hold a lockdown drill as part of our regular safety practice, and you can help your child feel ready by talking with them about it this weekend. Keep the conversation calm and simple: like a fire drill, a lockdown drill is practice, and students' job is to stay quietly in their classroom and follow their teacher's directions right away. Children take their cues from the adults around them, so a matter-of-fact tone goes a long way. After school on Monday, check in about how it went, and let your child's teacher know if they seem worried so our staff can offer support. Please also note that campus access may be briefly paused during the drill. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community safe!
Dress Code Concern: Crop Tops or Shortened Shirts (OUSD Board Administrative Regulation 5132)
We've been seeing a lot of students that are wearing shirts that are not covering their midsection. Please make sure that clothing covers the stomach area, otherwise, there will be a phone call home for a change of clothes.
Please Keep Red Curbs Clear During Drop-Off and Pick-Up
We've noticed an increase in cars stopping along red curbs on Cassidy and Serrano (the intersection across the street of the Cassidy gate) to drop off or pick up students, and this creates a serious safety concern for our children. Red zones must stay clear so drivers can see students crossing the street, traffic can move safely around the school, and emergency vehicles can reach campus without delay. Even a quick stop in a red zone can block visibility and put children at risk. Please use our legal street parking, and walk your child to and from the gate if needed. We know mornings and afternoons are busy, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation in keeping every student safe as they arrive and leave school each day.
Vision and Hearing Screening
On Thursday, October 1st, grades TK/K, 2nd, 5th and special education students as part of an initial and triennial IEP assessment will participate in the annual vision and hearing screening as per California Education Code 49452. School screenings are conducted by Registered Credential School Nurses. If your student wears prescription glasses, please remember to bring them on this day!
*Parents who wish to opt their child out of either screening must contact the school directly.
SAVE THE DATE: Dine-out Night
Tuesday, October 6th 4-9pm at Corner Pizza Oceanside. Dine-in with friends or order take-out for an easy night at home - either way make sure to mention South O Elementary at check-out as 25% of proceeds go back to our school!
Turkey Trot to Benefit South O
It is almost time for the 21st annual Oceanside Turkey Trot! Not only does this help raise funds for our school, but it also provides our families with a discounted entrance fee for the annual Thanksgiving run. If you haven't participated before, you NEED to! It is a fun way to get your day started before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast!
When you register, you can choose to donate a portion of the registration back to South Oceanside Elementary (select our school using the dropdown).
Then, you can join our South Oceanside Elementary Run Club team (when registering, use the dropdown to select this team).
Lastly, you can use this promo code: SOERC10, which will give anybody who signs up 10% off the current registration price.
The available races on that day include:
5k adult early wave at 7:00 am
5k adult main wave at 8:00 am
5k walk at 8:15 am
kids 1 mile at 10:00 am (7-12 years old)
kids 1/5 mile at 10:25 am (6 and under)
virtual races (if you are unable to make the race, you can run from elsewhere)
More information on the Turkey Trot webpage.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O families,
It was great to see so many students dress up for Picture Day! Makeup Picture Day is next week on Thursday, September 24th!
Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Scholastic Bookfair:
Our book fair is coming up September 28th- October 1st. See flyer below to access the barcode to make your student's e-wallet.
Please help make our bookfair a success and sign up to volunteer to work the fair after school hours! The proceeds directly benefit our school library!
Bookfair Volunteer Sign-Up Genius
Cafeteria Updates:
Ice Cream: Fridays ($1) Students buy tickets at recess and then claim ticket at lunch
Fruit Freezes: Start Oct 1st- 1st/3rd Thursdays (Free for students that get a school lunch)
Up and RUNNING!!!
Lace up those running shoes~ our South O Running Club is almost here!
Please be on the lookout for a permission slip flyer coming home soon. A six week session will be running from Oct. 12 - Nov. 20, Monday-Friday 7:45am-8:15am. Come any day(s) that work for you. Grades TK-5 all are welcome. It's a healthy, free, and great way to start your day!
Update from the PTO
SOUTH O' CAR SHOW - Saturday September 26, 2026 at South Oceanside Elementary. We will need volunteers to help make this the best event to date! This is a great community event for the entire family to start off the year, and it is a **BIG** fundraising event for the school! Cars, booths, food, and a kid's activity/fun area!
** Sign up genius link to volunteer day of at the car show OR to donate:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAB2EAAFC1-65826159-south#/
**Any help and donations, big or small, make a big difference for our school!**
School Site Council (SSC)
We invite all community members to our first School Site Council Meeting this Thursday, September 24th at 3:15 in person or via this Google Meet Link. Click here for the agenda.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Parents and Guardians of our English Learner Students,
You are warmly invited to our first ELAC meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:20am. Please come to the main office. Click here for agenda
ELAC is a committee made up of parents of students learning English.
By joining this committee, parents can offer advice and suggestions for the program, serve as the voice of the community, and receive information about other school activities and programs. We hope you can join us!
Estimados padres y encargados de estudiantes aprendices de Inglés,
Están cordialmente invitados a nuestra primera reunión de ELAC el próximo jueves 22 de septiembre a las 8:20am. Por favor venir a la oficina. Click here for agenda
ELAC es el comité formado por padres de familia de estudiantes aprendiendo inglés.
Al formar parte de este comité los padres pueden aconsejar y aportar sugerencias para el programa, ser la voz de la comunidad y obtener información respecto a otras actividades y programas de la escuela.¡Esperamos que nos pueda acompañar!
Hope everyone has a great weekend,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O families,
It was great to see so many families on campus for Back to School Night! Thanks for coming especially in the heat wave we have been having. We also started our Peer Mediator program with Ms. Ericka which was great to see all of our leaders ready to help out the school.
Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Our book fair is coming up September 28th- October 1st. See flyer below to access the barcode to make your student's e-wallet.
Update from the PTO
SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Next South O PTO Meeting: Wednesday September 16th 6 pm at Green Cheek Beer Co. Come join us and meet some fabulous South O Elementary Families and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about all the exciting school events coming up and ways that you can help volunteer to make each event special! It takes a village!
• South O Car Show - Saturday September 26, 2026 at South Oceanside Elementary. We will need volunteers to help make this the best event to date! More info coming soon including sign-up genius. This is a great community event for the entire family to start off the year, and it is a big fundraising event for the school! Cars, booths, food, and a kid's activity/fun area!
Hope everyone has a great weekend,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Dear South O. Families,
We had a great week with the Garden, Library, and Student Store that starting this week! It was great to see students immersed in these activities and having fun too. We also had our first assembly with all of our students and students and faculty played Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament!
There is no school on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day!
We’re so excited to welcome our families to Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 9th at 5:00 PM (flyer below!). This special evening is designed specifically for parents to connect with teachers and learn about the year ahead. If you're able to, we highly encourage making childcare arrangements so you can focus entirely on the presentation. It’s not a requirement, but it truly helps the night run smoothly for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and partnership!
Reminders
Student Lunch Policy
To support a safe and consistent school environment, students are expected to bring a home-packed lunch or a school-provided meal for lunch. Food from restaurants or other outside food establishments should not be brought or delivered to students during the school day.
We appreciate families’ cooperation in following this expectation and helping us maintain consistent school meal procedures for all students.
Dogs/Animals
Please remember that there are no dogs/animals allowed on campus or in the office.
Helmets
Please make sure that helmets are being worn for bikes/ebikes/etc. We are seeing a lot of students that don't have helmets on when arriving/leaving campus.
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, September 9 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Back to School Night
5pm-5:30pm: Title 1 meeting (learn about South O's academic data and our goals)
5:30-5:55 pm: Session 1 with the teachers
6:00-6:25 pm: Session 2 with the teachers
6:30-7pm: English Learner Family Meeting
Future Calendar Note: Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Attendance:
We started a monthly attendance challenge in our classrooms. Congrats to Mrs. Daris who had a 98.2% attendance rate in her class for the month of August! We value attendance here at South O. and want students to be in class learning as much as possible. If you need guidance or resources, please contact the main office.
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Hope everyone has a great three day break,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Week of August 31st- September 4th
Dear South O. Families,
We had a great week even though it was hot outside! Thanks to everyone for keeping our students safe from the heat!
Reminders:
TK/K-5th Families: We will now be on regular schedule to have the regular schedule from 8:15am- 2:10pm for TK/K and then dismissal at 2:55pm for 1st-5th graders. We will have early release for all grades on Wednesday at 12:25pm.
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, September 9 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Back to School Night5pm-5:30pm: Title 1 meeting (learn about South O's academic data and our goals)
5:30-5:55 pm: Session 1 with the teachers
6:00-6:25 pm: Session 2 with the teachers
6:30-7pm: English Learner Family Meeting
Labor Day: Monday, September 7th. There will be no school that day.
Future Calendar Note: Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Peer Mediator Applications (4th/5th Grade Families)
This week students who submitted an application to be a peer mediator will be reviewed by the team which includes: counselor, admin, last/current/enrichment teachers, librarian and duty supervisors. There are over 90 applicants and only 34 can be selected. We are proud of all students who applied, and if they weren't selected this year, they are encouraged to reapply next year!
School Site Council:
We invite you to take a moment and vote for your parent representatives on the School Site Council. The School Site Council plays an important role in shaping the school’s goals and making decisions about how resources are used to support student achievement. Click the ballot linked here.
PTO News:
SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Next South O PTO Meeting: Wednesday September 16th 6 pm at Green Cheek Beer Co. Come join us and meet some fabulous South O Elementary Families and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about all the exciting school events coming up and ways that you can help volunteer to make each event special! It takes a village!
• South O Car Show - Saturday September 26, 2026 at South Oceanside Elementary. We will need volunteers to help make this the best event to date! More info coming soon including sign-up genius. This is a great community event for the entire family to start off the year, and it is a big fundraising event for the school! Cars, booths, food, and a kid's activity/fun area!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Principal Sidhu
SAGE Garden Classes starting next week!
Sage Garden Classes
Families, please join the cooking and gardening fun! If you plan to participate, let your child's teacher know so they can contact you in the event of any schedule changes.
The classes scheduled for next Tuesday are:
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Week of August 24th-August 27th
Dear South O. Families,
We had a wonderful first full week of school and we had our first PTO meeting that was very well attended. Thanks for all the families that came out and supported!
Reminders:
TK/Kinder Families: To help our youngest learners adjust, TK and Kindergarten will have minimum days (12:25 p.m. dismissal) for this week as well. Regular schedules for TK/K will begin on Monday, August 31.
1st-5th Families: We will continue to have the regular schedule from 8:15am- 2:55pm. We will have early release on Wednesday at 12:25pm.
Dates to Remember:
- Tuesday, August 25th: First Fire Drill of the School Year
- Wednesday, September 9 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Back to School Night. Come learn more about our goals and how to get involved!
- Future Calendar Note: Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Also, please note that there are no Crocs on campus due to safety concerns. Also, please make sure that water bottles, jackets, and lunch boxes are labeled with the name of your student. We are already collecting a lot of "lost" items.
South O loves celebrating birthdays! Please be aware that OUSD allows any of the following to be sent in for class birthday recognition:
A healthy treat (individually-wrapped; our cafeteria is available for orders, if that is easier for you)
Goodie bags with school supplies, small toys
Donation of a book to the classroom
From PTA:
SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO UPCOMING EVENTS:
South O Car Show - Saturday September 26, 2026 at South Oceanside Elementary. We will need volunteers to help make this the best event to date! More info coming soon including sign-up genius. This is a great community event for the entire family to start off the year, and it is a big fundraising event for the school! Cars, booths, food, and a kids activity/fun area!
Next South O PTO Meeting: Wednesday September 16th 6 pm at Green Cheek Beer Co. Come join us and meet some fabulous South O Elementary Families and help us grow the PTO! Find out more about all the exciting school events coming up and ways that you can help volunteer to make each event special! It takes a village!
School Site Council: We warmly invite two (2) parents to join the South Oceanside School Site Council (SSC). This is a great opportunity to get involved and help shape our school community. The commitment is for two years, with about five meetings each year—mostly held online through Google Meet and in-person. If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you! Please complete the short, attached Form linked here. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Principal, Jim Riggenbach (jim.riggenbach@oside.us).
Classroom Change: Mrs. Kacy Ayala (1st grade) has made the difficult decision to step away from teaching for personal reasons. We appreciate all her hard work here at South O. and we will miss her!
I am pleased to introduce Mrs. Janel Napolitano, who will be her replacement beginning Monday, August 24th. Mrs. Naplitano is originally from San Diego, but moved to Bakersfield with her family to raise her children. She recently moved back ‘home', and is grateful to continue her career in education at South Oceanside Elementary.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
Week of August 17th- 22nd
Dear South O. Families,
We survived our first two days of school! Thanks to all of you, arrival and dismissal went well and it was really nice to see everyone back from summer break. Students and faculty had a fun two days back. We also had a great turnout for both the TK/K roundup and orientation, so thank you all for attending!
TK/Kinder Families: To help our youngest learners adjust, TK and Kindergarten will have minimum days (12:25 p.m. dismissal) for their first 12 days of school. Regular schedules for TK/K will begin on Monday, August 31. This week, families will have to say goodbye to their TK/K students at the gate unless the student is having a hard time (faculty will give you a special card!). Also, please remember, there are NO CROCS on campus because this is a safety concern.
1st-5th Families: We will start the full day schedule this week from 8:15am- 2:55pm. We will have early release on Wednesday at 12:25pm.
E-bike Policies
The Electric Bike (E-bike) Policy for Oceanside Unified School District has been established to promote the safe and responsible use of E-bikes on school property and in adjacent areas. The primary goal is to ensure the safety of all individuals, including students, staff, motorists, pedestrians, and surrounding neighborhood residents. OUSD is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged E-bikes.
Bringing an E-bike to school is a privilege. Students violating this policy may have their E-bike permit revoked and face other disciplinary consequences.
To Get a Permit- Students must:
Complete the E-Bike waiver- English/E-Bike waiver-Spanish
Submit a signed application from student and parent/guardian
From PTA:
- South O PTO Meet and Greet - Wednesday, August 19th at 6pm @ Privateer Coal Fire Pizza. Come join us to meet some fabulous South O Elementary families and help us grow. See you there!
- SAVE THE DATE - South O Car Show - Saturday, September 26, 2026. Volunteers needed to make this event a success and we will share more information, as well as our SIgn up Genius to volunteer very soon. It's such an awesome South O school fundraiser, fun for the whole family, and all proceeds go back to our school! (See below for flyer!)
Please ensure your contact information is always kept up-to-date in the parent portal so you don't miss our upcoming newsletters and updates. Also, please note that Seahawk Scoop will come out on Saturday night from now on due to not interfering with OUSD newsletters on Friday!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Want to Connect?
Attendance Email: attendance.sos@oside.us
Website: southo.oside.us
Location: 1806 S Horne St, Oceanside, CA 92054, USA
Phone: (760) 435-2100
Instragram: @south_o_elementary
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/274980001621/
EBike Safety Reminder (English)
Ebike Safety Reminder (Spanish)
Mental Health Series (English)
Gearing Up for School Next Week!
Dear South O. Families,
I'm sure all of you are gearing up for school to start next week (Thursday, August 13th)! The faculty and I are excited to welcome everyone on campus soon. This Saturday (8th) we have our TK/K roundup at 9am here at South O. playground so we hope to welcome our new students!
To help you prepare for the upcoming weeks, please review the important dates and details below.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
- August 10–11 (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): Front Office open for registration drop-offs.
- Saturday, August 8 (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.): TK & Kindergarten "Family Playdate" (see attached flyer!).
- Wednesday, August 12 (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.): Kinder Round Up (4pm-5pm). Campus Open Walk for all students 5pm-6pm. Class lists will be available on Aries after 5pm. Come find your classrooms before the big day!
- Thursday, August 13: First Day of School!
- Saturday, August 22nd (9am-12pm): Garden Work Party (Sign up here!) Kids welcome and snacks available!
- Wednesday, September 9 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Back to School Night. Come learn more about our goals and how to get involved!
Schedules & First Week Reminders
- Early Start Schedule: Please note that South O. is on the "Early Start" rotation this year. Gates open at 7:45 a.m., and the morning bell rings promptly at 8:15 a.m.
- First Week Dismissal: The first two days of school (Thursday, 8/13 and Friday, 8/14) will follow a minimum day schedule for all students, with dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
- TK & Kindergarten Transition: To help our youngest learners adjust, TK and Kindergarten will have minimum days (12:25 p.m. dismissal) for their first 12 days of school. Regular schedules for TK/K will begin on Monday, August 31.
- Future Calendar Note: Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Campus Guidelines & Registration Details
- First Day Walk-In: Parents are welcome to walk students directly to their classroom doors on Thursday, August 13. To ensure a smooth transition into learning, we ask all visitors to exit the campus by 8:55 a.m.
- Furry Friends: Please leave your pets at home. Animals are not permitted on school grounds at any time.
- Data & Registration: Thank you to everyone who has completed online registration or data confirmation via Aeries!
- For New/Moving Families: Please bring your printed and signed student information sheet, birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage) to the office between August 10–11 to complete your enrollment.
Please ensure your contact information is always kept up-to-date in the parent portal so you don't miss our upcoming newsletters and updates.
My door is always open, and I look forward to meeting you all very soon. Let’s make this a fantastic year together!
Warmest regards,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu
Welcome South O. Families to 26-27 School Year!
Dear South O. Families,
I hope you have all had a restful, happy summer break filled with family, friends, and sweet moments of relaxation. My name is Dr. Rachana (wretch-na) Sidhu (si-doo), and I am absolutely thrilled to step into the role of your new principal! I cannot wait to partner with our incredible faculty, students, and community to make this an unforgettable school year.
A Little About Me: I grew up in Fresno and discovered my passion for education early on. After majoring in Biology at UC San Diego, I taught high school biology for six years. I then spent 12 wonderful years in San Francisco serving as a teacher coach, Assistant Principal, and the ELPAC coordinator for the district. Over the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an elementary principal in both San Francisco and Davis, and most recently worked with the Kings County Office of Education. When I’m not at school, you can usually find me hiking, adventuring, or planning my next solo trip.
As a leader, I deeply value visibility and open communication. You will frequently see me out in the hallways, in classrooms, and on the yard getting to know your children. My goal is to ensure every student feels challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
To help you prepare for the upcoming weeks, please review the important dates and details below.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
- August 4–11 (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): Front Office open for registration drop-offs.
- Saturday, August 8 (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.): TK & Kindergarten "Family Playdate" (see attached flyer!).
- Wednesday, August 12 (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.): Kinder Round Up (4pm-5pm). Campus Open Walk for all students 5pm-6pm. Class lists will be available on Aries after 5pm. Come find your classrooms before the big day!
- Thursday, August 13: First Day of School!
- Wednesday, September 9 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.): Back to School Night. Come learn more about our goals and how to get involved!
Schedules & First Week Reminders
- Early Start Schedule: Please note that South O. is on the "Early Start" rotation this year. Gates open at 7:45 a.m., and the morning bell rings promptly at 8:15 a.m.
- First Week Dismissal: The first two days of school (Thursday, 8/13 and Friday, 8/14) will follow a minimum day schedule for all students, with dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
- TK & Kindergarten Transition: To help our youngest learners adjust, TK and Kindergarten will have minimum days (12:25 p.m. dismissal) for their first 12 days of school. Regular schedules for TK/K will begin on Monday, August 31.
- Future Calendar Note: Please mark your calendars for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences from October 16–23, which will also feature a 12:25 p.m. dismissal.
Campus Guidelines & Registration Details
- First Day Walk-In: Parents are welcome to walk students directly to their classroom doors on Thursday, August 13. To ensure a smooth transition into learning, we ask all visitors to exit the campus by 8:55 a.m.
- Furry Friends: Please leave your pets at home. Animals are not permitted on school grounds at any time.
- Data & Registration: Thank you to everyone who has completed online registration or data confirmation via Aeries!
- For New/Moving Families: Please bring your printed and signed student information sheet, birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage) to the office between August 4–11 to complete your enrollment.
Please ensure your contact information is always kept up-to-date in the parent portal so you don't miss our upcoming newsletters and updates.
My door is always open, and I look forward to meeting you all very soon. Let’s make this a fantastic year together!
Warmest regards,
Dr. Rachana Sidhu